What makes you the most qualified candidate for the post you’re seeking?: My 14 years experience as a judge, 8 on the Minnesota Supreme Court, qualifies me for another 6 year term on the Court. In addition, I am one of two Justices who serve on the judicial council, the governing body of the entire judicial branch, which sets policy for all the district and appellate courts in Minnesota. That experience, along with leadership of, or participation in, several important judicial branch programs, also qualifies me for another six year term. Finally, I have deep legal experience in both greater and urban Minnesota and have traveled throughout Minnesota during this campaign.

Sen. Dean Barkley

Age: 62

Current Employment: Attorney

Public Office Experience: Former Director of the office of Strategic and Long Range Planning for the Ventura administration. Former U.S. senator.

Qualifications: I have practiced law for 35 years. Judges should be nonpartisan and not let the political party of the governor that appointed them influence their decision making. The only justice on the Supreme Court that was not appointed by a Democrat or Republican governor is Alan Page who was elected in 1992. I am not a Democrat or a Republican and would be free to make my decisions based upon applying the law to the facts. I am an independent and by being elected by the people I would help keep the court from becoming partisan.

I've worked at the Brainerd Dispatch with various duties since Dec. 7, 1983. Starting off as an Ad Designer and currently Director of Audience Development. The Dispatch has been an interesting and challenging place to work. I'm fortunate to have made many friends, both co-workers and customers.